Beijing, July 4th—Ma Hui, Assistant-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, former Spanish Prime Minister.  

Calling Spain an important and influential country, Ma said former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has long been committed to promoting the development of China-Spain and China-Europe relations. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Spanish side to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, push China-Spain and China-Europe relations for healthy and stable development, and actively contribute to world peace, stability, prosperity and development together. Ma also addressed the European Union's plan to impose additional duties on imports of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).  

Zapatero spoke positively of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Spain and China, and stressed that Spain is willing to play an active role in the European Union (EU) and promote the healthy development of EU-China relations. Zapatero said, I advocate deepening mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation and oppose trade protectionism. The current international situation is turbulent. Spain attaches great importance to China's international status and influence, and is willing to further expand dialogue channels and cooperation areas with the Chinese side, adhere to multilateralism, increase cooperation and coordination in international and multilateral occasions, and jointly respond to global challenges.